Synergy Jackson Pest Control: Answering Your Questions March 2, 2021

What are phorid flies and how do you get rid of them?

Phorid flies, also known as humpback flies or sewer flies prefer moist organic material for their breeding site. Phorid flies found indoors are likely breeding in an area of moisture such as broken water pipes.  Phorid flies around the home outdoors breed under soil or gravel that may be trapping moisture or holding water.

To get rid of phorid flies, first correct the source of moisture.  After the source of moisture as been corrected, phorid flies can be controlled just like house flies.

How do you get rid of house flies?

House flies are a serious pest in U.S. homes.  Capable of transmitting a number of diseases, house flies aren’t just pesky, they can be deadly.  House flies can be controlled through a number of methods including:

1.Sanitation

2.Liquid insecticides

3.Fly traps

4.Fly bait

What are drain flies and what do they look like?

Drain flies are similar in size to gnats and fruit flies.  Drain flies breed in areas of moisture and stagnant water.  To get rid of drain flies, correct the area of your home that is holding moisture.  

After removing the breeding sites, your drain fly problem will slowly resolve.

Liquid pyrethroid sprays, IGRs, and organic drain foams are also used to help manage drain fly infestations.

What are blow flies and bottle flies and how do you get rid of them?

Blow flies and Bottle flies look similar to house flies except they are larger and often have a green metallic look.  These flies breed in dead or decaying matter, including dead animals.  To get rid of blow flies or bottle flies, it is critical to identify and remove their breeding sites.

After sanitation has been completed, insecticide sprays and fly baits can be used to manage the remaining adult flies.

What are pill bugs?  How do you get rid of pill bugs?

Also commonly referred to as roly polies or sow bugs, Pill bugs are garden pests that feed on rotting vegetation.  Pill bugs are also occasional invaders of homes.  Getting rid of pill bugs involves removing the vegetation, leaves and areas of moisture attracting them to the area.

Residual pyrethroid insecticides are effective controlling and getting rid of pill bugs.

What are nutria rats?

Nutria rats are rodents found near or in bodies of water.  Nutria rats are quite larger and can breed several times each year.  Nutria rats cause extensive damage to dams and wetlands because of their voracious eating of vegetation near lakes and streams.

Controlling Nutria rats can be difficult as the only way to get rid of Nutria rats is to trap and eradicate them.

What are no-see-ums and do they bite?

Also called punkies or biting gnats or midges, no-see-ums are tiny insects with a painful bite.  No-see-um bites are more painful than mosquito bites.  Like mosquitoes, no-see-ums are more prevalent during the hours of dusk to dawn.

No-see-um biting midges are best controlled with insecticides applied as a spray or a fog.  Wearing long pants, a hat, and long-sleeved shirts can also help prevent bites from no-see-ums.

What are the swarm of insects around lakes, midges?  Do midges bite?

Midges, also called non-biting gnats or chironomid, are a major problem in the southern United States, especially Mississippi.  Midges are not dangerous and do not bite humans or other animals.  Unfortunately, a midge hatch, can create major problems for homeowners living on or around bodies of water.

Midge prevention is not economically feasible as treating entire lakes would be quite expensive.  The best option to reduce midge pressure around the home is to reduce or eliminate exterior lighting.  Midge hatches can last from 48-72 hours.